# Boiling Springs Lake, California

Boiling Springs Lake in California. 190°F (88°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Plumas County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/boiling-springs-lake
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Boiling Springs Lake?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 190°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on National Park Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 190°F (88°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,005 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.6 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Plumas County |
| Nearest town | Chester |
| Coordinates | 40.43400, -121.39900 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Warner Valley Campground, 0.6 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 190°F, the source water at Boiling Springs Lake is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Boiling Springs Lake

Boiling Springs Lake is a thermal lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County, about thirteen miles from Chester. Near boiling, scalding well beyond the point of harm. This is a place to look at, a national park feature, and no part of it is for getting in. Public access is open.

National Park Service land at six thousand feet. From the nearest road, unnamed in the record, it is a walk of a little over half a mile. Snow here runs to about seventeen feet a year, with nearly four feet of precipitation, so the approach is seasonal. Warner Valley Campground sits the same half mile or so away.

December through February are listed as best months, but at seventeen feet of snow the park road will decide the matter. Warner Valley Campground is right there, a little over half a mile. The lake will scald; stay on whatever route the park marks and keep out of the water entirely. The record lists no fee for the spring itself.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Chester](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/chester), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Drakesbad, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/drakesbad): 151°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Hot Springs Valley, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-springs-valley): 83°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Terminal Geyser, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/terminal-geyser): 205°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Devils Kitchen, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/devils-kitchen-2): 203°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 49 mg/L, Hike, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Bumpass Hell, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/bumpass-hell): 199°F source, pH 6.9, TDS 42 mg/L, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County
- [Growler Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/growler-hot-spring): 203°F source, Short Walk, near Chester, Plumas County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Boiling Springs Lake?**
Boiling Springs Lake has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Boiling Springs Lake located?**
Boiling Springs Lake is located in Plumas County, California at 6,005 feet elevation, near Chester. Coordinates: 40.4340°N, 121.3990°W.

**How do I get to Boiling Springs Lake?**
Boiling Springs Lake has Short Walk road access (0.6 mi from the road).

**Is Boiling Springs Lake free to visit?**
Boiling Springs Lake has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.

**Can I camp near Boiling Springs Lake?**
Yes, Warner Valley Campground is located nearby (0.6 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Boiling Springs Lake?**
No, not at the source. The water at Boiling Springs Lake reaches 190°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals